On May 16, 2018, RIAC hosted a round table on integrated governance of the ocean space in the Arctic and assessment of experience in regulating maritime activities in waters beyond national jurisdiction. Representatives of MFA of Russia, Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs, Center for Support of the State Commission on Arctic Development, the Institute of Legislation and Comparative Law under the Government of the Russian Federation, RAS Primakov National Research Institute of World Economy and International Relations, MGIMO MFA of Russia, Kutafin Moscow State Law University, Shtokman Development AG, WWF Russia, and Institute for National Strategy took part in the meeting.
On May 16, 2018, RIAC hosted a round table on integrated governance of the ocean space in the Arctic and assessment of experience in regulating maritime activities in waters beyond national jurisdiction. Representatives of MFA of Russia, Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs, Center for Support of the State Commission on Arctic Development, the Institute of Legislation and Comparative Law under the Government of the Russian Federation, RAS Primakov National Research Institute of World Economy and International Relations, MGIMO MFA of Russia, Kutafin Moscow State Law University, Shtokman Development AG, WWF Russia, and Institute for National Strategy took part in the meeting.
The starting point for the discussion was the consideration of two approaches to the establishment of regional mechanisms for the governance of the maritime space: with reference to the OSPAR Convention and within the framework of the CCAMLR Commission. A key issue in this regard was stated by Andrey Zagorsky, RIAC member, Director of IMEMO RAS Department of Disarmament and Conflict Resolution, who drew the attention of the participants to the need to discuss the applicability of these approaches in the Arctic, primarily the central part of the Arctic Ocean.
The following issues were considered in the course of the expert meeting: the concept of marine protected areas and discussions held in recent years within the framework of UN agencies on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in areas beyond the national jurisdiction. Special attention was given to the role and contribution of scientific research in the preparation and promotion of the positions of states on the issues of environmental protection and development of economic activities at sea.
Timur Makhmutov, RIAC Deputy Director of Programs, moderated the meeting. Furthermore, given the discussions held, RIAC plans to prepare analytical materials on the basis of the suggestions made, which will be presented at the next round table on this issue.
